Press Release – FAA Releases Record of Decision for St. George Airport Replacement

For Immediate Release

Regional jets and other new air service may soon be able to serve fast-growing St. George, UT now that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected a replacement airport as the best alternative after completing an exhaustive environmental impact analysis.

In its Record of Decision (ROD), the FAA found that the city’s proposal to build a replacement airport with a 9,300-foot runway on 1,300 acres, approximately five miles from downtown St. George, met all applicable environmental and safety guidelines. The agency also concluded that the airport project would not have an adverse affect on local parks.

St. George, a primary non-hub airport, is one of the airport projects selected for “environmental streamlining” under an executive order issued by President Bush in 2002 that streamlines the decision-making process for major transportation projects.

“Ensuring that this community has the transportation system it needs to keep pace with the region’s growth is critical,” said FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey. “This project will greatly improve the level of passenger service to the community.”

The FAA carefully considered all comments submitted prior to issuing its decision. The ROD outlines actions the city of St. George will need to accomplish as well as responses to comments received on the Final Environmental Impact Statement.

The ROD will be available for public review beginning August 25, 2006, during normal business hours at the following locations: